Optometry Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! Even if you haven't noticed a change in your vision, it is important to get a yearly comprehensive eye exam to determine changes in eye health and detect or diagnose early signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health issues.
On top of that, your eye exam can detect signs of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other eye issues before they present symptoms or are too late to fix.
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Symptoms such as dry eyes, irritated eyes, contact lens problems, or if blinking helps to clear your vision can be due to dry eyes. It is common for computer users to have dry eyes. This is because we do not blink much and we hold our eyes wide open when working at the computer.
Steps To Alleviate Your Symptoms:
Use artificial tears to re-wet and lubricate your eyes. Use as recommended by either your doctor or the manufacturer. Lower your computer screen so that the center of the screen is 4-8 inches below your eyes. If you are seated in a draft or near an air vent, try to eliminate the flow of air past your eyes. Low humidity or fumes aggravate a dry eye condition. If you have these conditions in your work place, fix them if possible. Concentrate on blinking whenever you begin to sense symptoms of dry or irritated eyes. Every once in a while (especially when you sense the symptoms) close your eyes and roll them behind your closed eye lids.
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The blobs you may see are probably nothing to worry over. They're most likely the egg white-like gel that fills the back of your eye. As you age the gel becomes more liquid and can separate from the back wall of the eye.
If you have a new onset of floaters or an increase in existing floaters, see the doctors at Blink Optometry as soon as possible. As the gel shifts forward, it can pull on the retina and cause a tear or even a more serious retinal detachment.
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Your tear glands may not be working as well as they should. Dry eyes are a result of fewer tears or poor quality of your tears. As you age, your tears naturally change.
Blinking helps to keep your eyes lubricated, however, if you spend a lot of time at your computer, staring at the screen, you don't blink as often.
Our office offers solutions for dry eyes including tear drops and plug inserts.
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Vision insurance is used for routine yearly exams, glasses, and contacts. Your medical insurance is used to evaluate, diagnose, and treat medical problems related to your eyes. This includes diseases, infections, and injuries.
In the event that pathology is detected during a routine eye exam, additional testing or procedures may be indicated. These procedures will be billed to your medical insurance.
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There are many options for this common problem. Reading glasses can be worn over contacts or alone, and are available with progressive lenses, which have increasing power from the top of the lens to the bottom. There are also multifocal or bifocal contact lenses available, to avoid the need for readers altogether. Ask Dr. Davis for more information.
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If you are between ages 18 and 70, you may be a candidate for laser correction surgery.
Lasik surgery involves reshaping your cornea with a laser often done to correct nearsightedness, but can also be used to correct issues with reading vision.
Based on age (typically patients over 40), some candidates may do better with monovision, meaning one eye is corrected for near vision and the other eye is corrected for distance. Monovision can slightly affect your depth perception, so if you're into certain activities like sewing or tennis, this may not be the move for you.
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Many computer users need a pair of glasses for their computer work that is different from the glasses they use for their other common visual needs. They either have a different prescription or a different lens design from their usual glasses.
In other cases, the computer user may have a vision disorder that would not otherwise require correction if they weren't performing a demanding visual job such as at the computer. In these cases, the person needs a pair of glasses that they would not need if they weren't working at a computer. These are called “computer glasses”.
Bifocals or progressive addition lenses that are usually prescribed for presbyopia don't work well for computer work. The best solution for the presbyopic computer user is a lens which is specifically designed for the ergonomics of the computer workstation.
These special computer lenses are designed to accommodate the unique viewing distances and angles at a computer and work for presbyopic computer users and can also work for others who require lenses for their computer.
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We suggest giving over-the-counter drops a try before we move to a prescription option, however avoid drops designed to "get the red out" as they can become addicted to them. If your eyes keep getting drier and drier, then we can offer prescription drops, a topical option, or plug inserts to aid in producing high quality tears.
To avoid dry eye, we suggest blinking often, make sure no fans or vents are blowing directly on your eyes, and eat plenty of omega-3 fatty acids.
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Payment is expected at the time of service. This includes co-pays for insurance. For your convenience, we take cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
There is a $25 charge for returned checks. For glasses we require half down to order, and the remainder of the balance is due when you pick them up.
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There are many options for this common problem. Reading glasses can be worn over contacts or alone, and are available with progressive lenses, which have increasing power from the top of the lens to the bottom. There are also multifocal or bifocal contact lenses available, to avoid the need for readers altogether. Ask Dr. Davis for more information.
-
If you are between ages 18 and 70, you may be a candidate for laser correction surgery.
Lasik surgery involves reshaping your cornea with a laser often done to correct nearsightedness, but can also be used to correct issues with reading vision.
Based on age (typically patients over 40), some candidates may do better with monovision, meaning one eye is corrected for near vision and the other eye is corrected for distance. Monovision can slightly affect your depth perception, so if you're into certain activities like sewing or tennis, this may not be the move for you.
-
Many computer users need a pair of glasses for their computer work that is different from the glasses they use for their other common visual needs. They either have a different prescription or a different lens design from their usual glasses.
In other cases, the computer user may have a vision disorder that would not otherwise require correction if they weren't performing a demanding visual job such as at the computer. In these cases, the person needs a pair of glasses that they would not need if they weren't working at a computer. These are called “computer glasses”.
Bifocals or progressive addition lenses that are usually prescribed for presbyopia don't work well for computer work. The best solution for the presbyopic computer user is a lens which is specifically designed for the ergonomics of the computer workstation.
These special computer lenses are designed to accommodate the unique viewing distances and angles at a computer and work for presbyopic computer users and can also work for others who require lenses for their computer.
-
We suggest giving over-the-counter drops a try before we move to a prescription option, however avoid drops designed to "get the red out" as they can become addicted to them. If your eyes keep getting drier and drier, then we can offer prescription drops, a topical option, or plug inserts to aid in producing high quality tears.
To avoid dry eye, we suggest blinking often, make sure no fans or vents are blowing directly on your eyes, and eat plenty of omega-3 fatty acids.
-
Payment is expected at the time of service. This includes co-pays for insurance. For your convenience, we take cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
There is a $25 charge for returned checks. For glasses we require half down to order, and the remainder of the balance is due when you pick them up.
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Yes. Blink Optometry in Redding, CA is fully ADA accessible to accommodate patients with mobility needs. We also have Spanish-speaking team members available to better serve our community.
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Before your appointment, you will receive access to a secure patient portal where you can complete your new patient paperwork online at your convenience. We ask that you plan to arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow for check-in.
Please bring the following to your visit:
Current glasses
Sunglasses
Contact lenses (if applicable)
A list of your current medications
A photo ID
Your medical and vision insurance cards
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No, we are open straight through the day with no midday closure.
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Blink Optometry is closed on the following holidays:
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day (July 4th)
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and the following day
Christmas Day
We offer same-day appointments for urgent eye care whenever possible. Please call or text our office for immediate assistance.
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We do. Dry eye is a common condition that can significantly affect your daily comfort, and we take it seriously. Our team evaluates the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommends a personalized treatment plan. One of the services we offer is Blink Lid Care Pro, an in-office eyelid hygiene treatment designed to address one of the most common root causes of dry eye. We also offer over-the-counter and prescription drop options, as well as plug inserts. If your eyes feel dry, irritated, or uncomfortable, we encourage you to schedule an appointment so we can help.
Insurance
Vision Insurance
Blink Optometry accepts most major vision plans, including VSP and EyeMed. Vision insurance typically covers routine yearly exams, glasses, and contact lenses. If you are unsure whether your plan is accepted, our team is happy to help you check before your visit.
Medical Insurance
We accept a variety of medical insurance plans for visits related to medical eye care, including red eyes, infections, and eye disease management. Coverage varies depending on the reason for your visit and your individual plan benefits. We will always provide clear guidance on your coverage and out-of-pocket costs before or during your appointment.
We currently accept the following medical plans:
Advantek Benefit Administrators
Aetna
Benesys
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
BRMS
Capitol Administrators
Champ-VA
Cigna (out of network)
EBMS
GEHA
Health Net
Humana
Medicare
Meridian Health
Railroad Medicare
Tricare for Life
Tricare West Region
United Healthcare
UMR
Web TPA
Willow Health
Self-Pay Patients
We welcome self-pay patients and believe in transparent, straightforward pricing. Vision exams start at $199. Fees vary depending on the services provided, and you will always receive a clear explanation of costs and options before any decisions are made. Our goal is to make sure you feel informed and confident about your care.
Out-of-Network Benefits
If we are not in-network with your vision plan, you may still be able to use your out-of-network benefits. Our team can provide the documentation you need to submit for reimbursement directly with your insurance provider.
Resources for Healthy Vision
